Book Review—UnSEALed by Mark Greene
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Elite performance and near-death experiences cannot prepare you for a veteran’s hardest moments.
Executive summary
From the city of Dayton and nearby Division One football fields in Ohio to the cold, wet, sandy nights spent paddling and swimming “around the world” in and near Coronado, California, Mark Greene’s journey into the Navy’s Special Warfare community, known as the SEALs, is truly remarkable. Narrated through a lens of humility, grace, and peace, he invites readers into the life of a Navy SEAL and takes them on a journey through a career filled with victories, unforeseen obstacles and challenges, near-death experiences, trauma, and loss.
Filled with “aha” moments and numerous lessons, Mark’s approach to conveying life’s lessons appeals to every reader, especially those who have served, by encouraging self-care and prioritizing transitional readiness. The insights gained from Mark throughout the book emphasize the challenges that special operators face and the realities many confront during their eventual transitions from military service.
The content
The journey begins in Dayton, Ohio, where Mark is raised as the son of a career Air Force veteran. Although he lived abroad as a child, his high school years in Dayton and the sports he played opened doors for opportunities to play Division One football at two nearby universities. After succumbing to sports-related injuries, Mark left college and found himself working at a local Blockbuster Video store, where he utilized his memory and skills to understand the customer base better.
Challenged by a friend to try something difficult and unique, Mark signed up to join the Navy and become a SEAL. His journey began with completing boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, and passing a series of physical fitness tests — which, due to pull-ups, nearly cost him his opportunity. Following that, he reported to Coronado, California, where his life’s work commenced. As an athlete and natural runner, Mark was pushed to his limits but mentored by a senior SEAL, who also gifted him a keepsake that he still cherishes today. He details the challenges he and his peers faced daily during SEAL training (BUD/S), including learning to crawl, walk, and run. Aside from one incident related to heat exhaustion and another involving hallucinations during a night on the water, Mark successfully passed and learned a valuable lesson about how SEALs uphold their word.
After earning his Trident pin and joining his first SEAL Team, Mark faced his first near-death experience while rappelling from a helicopter hovering over a warship at night. Unaware that someone was still hanging on the rope and believing all personnel had safely boarded the warship from the helicopter, the pilots chose to depart, leaving Mark dangling until, eventually, he was dislodged by the force of the movement and dropped into the dark Pacific Ocean. Treading water for over 30 minutes with malfunctioning gear while they searched for him, he was ultimately rescued thanks to his clever use of a small light that was visible with night vision goggles.
Through his exemplary performance, Mark was chosen to become a sniper and speaks enthusiastically about his experiences learning to read environmental conditions for carrying out missions in one of the most challenging professions the military offers. In a humorous exchange with his sniper peer (spotter), he jokes about how they both managed to hit a fly and a bee from long distances by anticipating the bugs’ movements. Years later, Mark faced a second near-death situation when he was ejected from a small boat in the open ocean while operating near a large warship. Trapped 30 feet underwater by the pressure of the warship’s propulsion, Mark relied on his training to resurface after two minutes, recalling that experience as one in which he remarkably stayed calm and followed protocols to save his life.
With the help of Admiral James Stockdale, Mark was eventually selected for Officer Candidate School, where more stories of leadership emerged, including a humorous example of how the course instructors perceived his swimming behavior, leading to their embarrassment. This marked an acceleration in Mark’s journey in people leadership as he went on to lead his own platoon of SEALs. Chapter 22 serves as a masterclass in small team leadership.
Throughout the book’s 33 chapters, Mark explores the highs and lows of being a career serviceman faced with difficult decisions. One incident, in particular, involved his father suffering from a rare bone cancer, which prompted Mark to make a spontaneous decision to allow the surgeon to amputate his father’s leg. Another story recounts the moment he learned that his best friend had died in a free-fall jumping accident. He was not permitted to share the news with the friend’s spouse, who later discovered it and was upset with him. Within the pages of the book, he offers an apology to her, hoping she will understand that his silence aimed to preserve the military’s death notification process.
The book also contains numerous stories of Mark’s deep love for being a husband and father, which he cherishes and encourages all veterans to savor during their time away from military duties. More intimately, however, Mark addresses his transition from active service to civilian life. With the support of those who cared for him, he secured his first post-military position at the University of Southern California and found comfort in joining a new organization and discovering a new community. Yet, he acknowledges his struggle with the nuanced complexities of physical and cognitive decline, as well as the harsh realities of leaving the military, which required years of therapy. He concludes the book by expressing the importance of accepting help early and often, offering tips that can alleviate the stressors of retiring from high-operational-tempo military organizations.
Ten insightful quotes from the book
1. On character: “Amid all the chaos and all the things you do in combat and Special Operations and SEAL Teams, being honorable is paramount.” Page 36
2. On mentality: “Once you mentally shift the problem to becoming an obstacle, you may have to do some things to negotiate it, climb above it, go around, or go below it. But it’s not something that’s seen as a deterrent any longer. It’s just something you have to work through and survive and outsmart.” Page 45.
3. On purpose: “When you’re meant to do something or you’re capable of, whether it’s hard or easy, whether you get into Harvard or a junior college, whether you graduate or if you just do something that not a lot of people do… you’ve had those attributes your entire life, and you just need to keep going through the process to be able to move forward.” Page 46
4. On difficulty: “Your circumstances may be overwhelming and feel as if they will bury you. Do not panic. Go back to the truth of what you know for certain. Go back to your training. Go back to whatever grounds you. Lean into that, and let it lead you.” Page 60
5. On leadership: “If the people you lead don’t come to you with their problems, then you are no longer a good leader.” Page 137
6. On change: “All changes have one thing in common: they’re difficult. They’re manageable, but you have to make an effort to make the transition a good one.” Page 184
7. On championing others: “True satisfaction comes as we help others navigate their own journeys. Witnessing their growth can be wonderfully fulfilling.” Page 220
8. On progress: “Every speck you move in a positive direction is an increment. Every mile you move is an increment. Over time, you’ll see your progress. Just keep moving.” Page 229
9. On feedback: “People around you can see things in you that you’re blind to and call them out.” Page 231
10. On growth: “The easiest path is not always the best path. Be willing to take the path that requires you to grow.” Page 233.
The wrap-up: why you should read unSEALed
I thoroughly enjoyed reading unSEALed, and here’s why: Mark Greene is relatable. Throughout the book, he shares his thoughts while narrating the storyline. Whether he was working at Blockbuster Video or getting trapped 30 feet underwater, he presents his true self through genuine reflections — his authentic thoughts in those moments- which makes it not only real but also easy to read.
The book reads quickly- very quickly. With 33 chapters, the pages keep turning effortlessly. One minute you’re on page 50, and the next, you’re on page 125. It flows smoothly, with each chapter building upon the previous one. In many respects, you will feel as if you’re right there in the moment, experiencing exactly what he conveys through his words. I really liked that about the book, but here’s what I like most: his vulnerability.
So, who is this book written for? It’s for those interested in learning what it means to become a Navy SEAL. It’s for those looking for tips on navigating that lifestyle. It’s for those seeking anecdotes on warfighting and for those enamored with that way of life. Most importantly, it’s for military veterans, and it’s profoundly personal how he recounts his lessons on addressing transitional readiness.
Mark’s purpose in writing unSEALed is to serve as a lighthouse — a reminder that invincibility is an illusion. Even among the most elite military warfighters, there are moments of vulnerability and uncertainty. His story is specifically crafted for every veteran to emphasize that the transition from military service to the civilian sector is both challenging and emotional. With intention, you can thrive through the crawl, walk, and run phases of this transition and successfully navigate the path ahead.
With that, thanks for reading!
About the book’s author
After initially dropping out of college and sustaining an injury that derailed his dreams of playing professional football, Mark Greene went on to become a Navy SEAL and completed two master’s degrees. He now travels as an author and speaker, sharing with audiences ranging from students at USC to veterans in Virginia. His greatest joy is being a dad to four beautiful children.
Follow Mark Greene on LinkedIn
Book details:
Publisher: Transcendent Publishing (January 19, 2024)
ISBN-13: 979–8989068289
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Reading is one of my passions, and I hope you find this book review insightful! As a leader and educator, I love learning and sharing. With each book I read and summarize, I consider how its content can be applied to teams and organizations, searching for resonant elements such as impactful quotes while discerning who the ideal readers are. I seek opportunities to implement what I’ve learned from each book and share that knowledge to improve myself, my teams, colleagues, peers, and those pursuing personal and professional growth alongside me. I write these reviews partly because I love to read and write, but also to share leadership lessons. While I often either know the authors personally or have developed a relationship with them post-review, nothing about this process is sponsored or previewed. As the book reviewer, I am not paid to write reviews nor influenced in how I write them. The process requires hours of reading and reflection, making it a significant undertaking, so I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to like my content and subscribe to follow it.
